Jan (2) In an instructive exercise on how neither Arbroath nor Arbroath FC should perform for the rest of 2008, Montrose FC defeat the Lichties 5 - 0. Jan (7) Robert Stevenson's model of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, owned by the Stevenson family since 1810 and acquired by Angus Council late 2007, is displayed for the first time at the Signal Tower Museum, which will become it's permanent home later this year. ( See 1810 ). Jan (17) The building erected in Hill Road in 1882 as Grant's Shoe Factory is at last last being given a new lease of life. Site work has begun on a project which will see it refurbished and converted into 27 flats. From 1937 until it's closure in 1983, it famously was the Marine Ballroom, featuring acts such as Salvation (with Midge Ure), Christian (Chris McLure), early Slade (then known as 'Ambrose Slade') and the Bay City Rollers. It also was the meeting place which many a happy Arbroath couple can perhaps thank for bringing them together. Jan: A new housing development in East Abbey Street, the location in earlier days a Drill Hall, retains the original handsome arched entrance. Jan (18) The refurbished Webster Theatre (22 months in process & costing 4M pounds) is officially opened with a gala concert by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by David Danzmayr. Simon Woods, Chief Executive of the RSNO, echoes the orchestra's enthusiasm for the transformed theatre's acoustics. Jan (23) The Arbroath Herald closes it's Burnside Drive offices which will now be converted into flats (see 2012). Jan (23) Creel fisherman Bob Teviotdale is rescued when his boat 'Northern Star' sinks a third of a mile from the harbour. Flotation, towing & gear recovery is effected by the crews of RNLB 'Bingo Lifeline' (reserve for 'Inchcape'), inshore RNLB 'Duncan Ferguson' and creel boat 'Tern'. Jan (28) The Arbroath Herald opens it's new premises at 21 Market Place. The 'Herald' & the 'Guide & Gazette' will be produced from this address. Feb (9) The campaign to establish Arbroath Abbey as an important World Heritage Site gains momentum as supporters gather to further it's claim. Feb (28) Colin Keillor Graphics of Arbroath, together with designer Sue Nicoll of 'Zoo Design', Carnoustie, have produced a series of plaques (see pic on right) being mounted around Dundee, highlighting the contribution of women in the city's rich heritage. Mar (10) Huge waves cause some damage to Mackay's Boatyard & the area near the Harbour Visitor Centre. Mar The construction & landscaping work in Auchmithie over recent months has been completed. A shrubbed courtyard, a sustained urban drainage system, a new 20 place car park & a shrub screened football/recreation area has enhanced the village environment. Limited new housing is proposed with the hope of reviving service amenities which have declined in Auchmithie over recent years. Apr (5) Monifieth violinist Laura McGhee premiere's her 'Arbroath Suite' at the Webster Theatre. Apr (6) The Abbey Pageant Society braves a keen north wind to give an enthusiastic audience a splendid portrayal of key events in the Abbey's long & nationally vital history. The equally stalwart & windblown 'Trybe' from Stonehaven (this time also featuring the fair sex on drums !) precede the players on the approach to the Abbey & supply some very appropriate rousing music after the actors & actresses have taken their bow. Apr (17) Refurbishment work has begun on the former Royal Hotel building in High Street. The ground floor, once the hotel bar & more recently Wright's Cafe Bar, will become a shop, whilst the three upper floors will be transformed into eight flats. Apr (mid) 'The Harbour Studio' opens in the Harbour Visitor Centre. Apr (30) Albert Henderson, manager of Arbroath FC for 17 years between Sept 1962 & Jan 1980, dies. He steered the club back into the 1st Division in the 1967/68 season and saw his team defeat Glasgow Rangers 3-2 in 1974 when John Fletcher scored the winning goal in the last two minutes of the game. May (8) Bairds Malt Ltd are investing 23.7 million pounds in an Elliot expansion which will include a new barley & drying facility for 2009 and a new malting plant during 2010. May (10) Despite a 1-0 win by Stranraer, Arbroath FC on aggregate achieve 2nd Division status for season 2008-2009. Jun: MVF Reaper, the 102 year old herring drifter, is undergoing a major refit at Mackay's Boatyard, including work on her hull, spars & machinery. She is the flagship of the Scottish Fisheries Museum, skippered to Arbroath by General Manager Tom Sunter & manned by volunteers from the Museum's Boat Club including Tom Gardner & Coull Deas. The vessel is of course one of the star attractions of Arbroath's Sea Fest. Jun (21) The film 'Stone Of Destiny', with scenes shot within Arbroath Abbey, has it's Scottish premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Jun (28) 'Pound Store' opens on High Street. Jul (13) Construction of the new timber framed housing development in Cairnie is pictured right : Jul (17) Site work for Hillcrest Housing Association's construction of two blocks of flats begins in the 'Linies' (i.e. between Catherine Street & Millgate). It has taken 12 years for this development (stage 2 of the 1996 Alma Works/Weavers Close project) to come to fruition. Jul (26) Arbroath's 5th Seafront Spectacular survives the Haar (sea mist) which curtails most of the eagerly awaited flying displays, wing walkers 'Team Guinot' & 'Lothian Helicopters' pleasure flights being cancelled. The patient Spitfire pilot eventually had a clear sky from Perth to wow the crowd & bridge 68 years since the fighter's heroic 'Battle of Britain' days. The weather didn't stop a record attendance, visitors enjoying Russ Swift's crazy road skills, 'Extreme Globe Riders' thrilling motorbike show, The Knights of Monymusk, 'The Dunedin Harley Club' & lots more fun at ground level. Jul (28) A bye-law is implemented in central Arbroath banning the consumption of alcohol in public places. It encompasses 25 licensed premises. Jul (30) Following threat of closure, Post Office Ltd agrees, after public consultation, that it's Cairnie Street branch will remain open. Aug (3) BBC4's 'The Proms 2008' features mezzo soprano Karen Cargill who is Arbroath born. She gives a captivating & emotional performance of Mahler's 'The Song Of The Earth', with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Runnicles. Aug : A customer of boatbuilders Geo. & David Hewitt of Stiffkey, Norfolk, will, by around 2010 be seabound in a dramatic piece of Arbroath's not so distant history. The 'Robert Lindsay', which capsized in 1953 with the loss of six lives has, after years as an ageing fishing boat re-named 'Zephyr', been re-sterned and is being refurbished for it's new owner. It would be a poignant moment indeed if the vessel in it's travels found itself in Arbroath marina. Aug (16) 'Aberbrothock 1320', a project of Arbroath & Angus songs for CD featuring Dave Ramsay & guests, is recorded live at Hospitalfield House. Aug (16-17) Arbroath's 12th Seafest lives up to all expectations, even the weather being nae too bad. Special attraction this year are the Ardglass Vikings storming the beach and being suitably repelled by the Knights of Monymusk with a 'longship' being ceremoniously burned in the evening. The RNLI, the Royal Navy, the Army Cadets, the Scottish Terrier Racing Team, live band 'Baby Jane' & many more organisations & individuals ensure constant entertainment for the visitors. The simultaneous Bell Rock Blues Festival features 19 acts performing in 13 venues across the town. Click here: Aug (31) Arbroath's Fish & Farmer's Market is held on Beacon Green, between the Harbour Visitor Centre & the Signal Tower. Sep (7) Depute Provost of Angus Peter Murphy & Council Officer John Davie attend the celebration & dedication service at Morwenstow, Cornwall marking the completion of the restoration of the figurehead from the Arbroath brig 'Caledonia', wrecked below the cliffs near that village on this day 166 years ago in 1842. See that date & also click here: Sep (21) Tesco's construction proceeds on the old Westburn Foundry site at Stobcross, adding to Arbroath's face a feature which seems almost mandatory these days. The red sandstone perimeter is appropriate. 157 very welcome new jobs are being created and the store will open on 1st December. Sep (23) 'Stone of Destiny' is released as a game for iPhone and iPod. Sep (26) The unusual harbour visitor pictured right is encountered (by the ed. & his wife) during the evening beside the Marina - no apparent injury, yet reluctant to take wing. A Guillimot (he thinks) is more at home on the cliffs or the open sea. Oct (2) 700 Marines of 45 Commando leave Arbroath for their 3rd tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Oct (2) William Hill, bookmaker, opens at 155-159 High Street. Oct (9) The paperback reprint of George Hay's 'A History Of Arbroath' (first published in 1876) drops through the ed's letterbox. He started 'An Arbroath Timeline ' in Feb 2006, so you would think this book would be the first thing he would reach for, wouldn't you ? Oct (10) The film 'Stone of Destiny' goes on general Scottish release. . Oct (13) Arbroath's William Glover , aged 72, sails into Arbroath Harbour in his yacht ' Mermaid ', completing a solo crossing of the Atlantic from Hampton, Virginia, via Bermuda & the Azores to Falmouth in Cornwall. Passage through the English Channel had been hampered by propeller coupling trouble & the worst sailing conditions of the entire trip. Two years earlier an accident had curtailed his first attempt. Oct (31) A cool but bright day departs, offering Arbroath a beautiful end to October - click here : Nov (w/c 3) The goods sheds, beside the old coalyard at Arbroath Station, are demolished. Nov (8) Dave Ramsay, John Knox, Ray Milne, Sandy Petrie, Derek Robertson & Maureen Morrison perform & record 'Songs Of A Wild & Rocky Coast' at Hospitalfield House. Proceeds are in aid of the Arbroath Lifeboat & the RNLI. Nov (24) Royal Marine Alec Lucas, of 45 Commando, Arbroath, becomes the 126th fatality suffered by British Armed Forces personnel since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001. The 24 year old Marine's home town is Peebles. Dec (1) Tesco's new Stobcross store opens. Dec (2) Choreographer Marianne Cargill, daughter of dancer Rosa Appolinari & singer Conway Stuart, dies aged 58. Dec (7) Arbroath Choral Society's 30th Christmas Concert takes place at Arbroath West Kirk. Dec (9) At Arbroath Abbey, Alana Louden, on behalf of 'Relay For Life', presents to Cancer Research a cheque for an incredible 113,000 pounds, representing a year's intense fund raising. First Minister Alex Salmond is present to congratulate all of those involved. Dec (14) Arbroath Male Voice Choir, with accompanist Laura Stallerbrass, present their Concert for Christmas in John Knox's Church. Their guests are the Arbroath Instrumental Band, soprano Darcy Spiller & choir director Helen Addison. Dec (27) Woolworth's store closes, after trading on High Street for 75 years, one of 807 in the UK now out of business. It replaced the White Hart Hotel in 1933. Dec (31) Arbroath born Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland, is made a CBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for services to environmental science. Dec (31) Royal Marine Liam Elms, from Wigan, Lancs., of 45 Commando, dies in Afghanistan, the 137th British Serviceman ( and the 12th Marine within the last 2 months ) since operations began in Oct. 2001.